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Applicant Development Report Cards

The purpose of this report is to present the evaluation of the individual development applications relative to the Markham Centre Performance Measures Document. Here is a series of "Report Cards", on applications presented to the Markham Centre Advisory Committee through the end of 2010.

Staff have created Report Cards for use by the Advisory which identify the project, provide a brief description and status up-date, outline the Advisory Process Stage(s), and contain an evaluation of the Sub-Group Indicators (Built Form, Open Spaces, Greenlands, Transportation and Green Infrastructure). The Report Cards allow for a ranking (Bronze, Silver, Gold) of the project relative to each of the Sub-Groups as well as a comment section. The final component of the card is a section which allows the Advisory to comment on whether the project and ultimately the City is on-target to realizing the Markham Centre vision.

Year 2005

Year 2004

Circa - Tridel/Dorsay Developments [PDF-31k]
The first phase of this project (390 apartment units and 155 townhouses) is under construction at the northwest corner of Highway #7 and Town Centre Boulevard. The Advisory awarded a Silver ranking to the project for the way it addresses the Open Spaces, Transportation and Green Infrastructure measures and a Bronze ranking for Built Form. The Greenlands measures weren't applicable. The Bronze rating reflected certain reservations on the part of the Advisory Committee regarding the residential apartment component of the project. While the applicant incorporated a number of significant revisions to the site plan and elevations at the time of approval, to improve the streetscape context, architectural detailing and materials, concerns remain with the large scale and massing of the apartment buildings. These matters were discussed with Development Services Committee at the time of site plan approval, at which time it was determined that the proposal had sufficient overall merit for approval.

Downtown Markham - Remington Group [PDF-32k]
The Precinct Plan and Draft Plan were before the Advisory, and a Gold ranking was awarded to the project for its adherence to the Performance Measures for Build Form, Open Spaces, Greenlands and Transportation. The Advisory felt that it was too early in the implementation of the project to assess Green Infrastructure. The Advisory noted how well the plan addressed the scope and diversity of issues within the project and the commitment to structured parking.

Greenlands Master Plan - Approved June 2004 [PDF-31k]
The Advisory assigned a Silver rating to the City's Greenlands Master Plan under the category of Greenlands. The basis for this ranking reflects concerns with the ability to achieve the overall objectives of the plan given the diverse ownership, long term timeframes and current lack of financial wherewithal to implement a comprehensive trail system, and limitations arising from the fact that the Markham Centre Secondary Plan predates more recent Rouge Park policies. In this regard staff note that an implementation strategy for the Greenlands Master Plan will be initiated in 2005. This strategy should address many of the concerns identified by the Advisory.

Liberty Development Corporation [PDF-31k]
Liberty received draft plan and zoning approval in July, 2004 and the applicants have submitted applications for site plan approval for their first phase. In reviewing the precinct plan the Advisory awarded Silver rankings for Built Form, Open Spaces and Transportation. Greenlands measures were not applicable, and it is too soon to assess implementation of Green Infrastructure. The Advisory noted the internal courtyards within the plan, the continuous open space linkages, building massing and orientation, extensive use of underground parking and proximity to future rapid transit.

YMCA Markham [PDF-31k]
The site plan has recently been finalized for this amenity within the East Precinct of Markham Centre. The Advisory rated the facility Bronze for its treatment of Built Form and Open Space, while assigning a Silver rating for Green Infrastructure and Transportation. Greenlands measures weren't applied. The rating reflected the Advisory's concerns with the amount of surface parking, the building's scale, materials and architectural presence. The use of District Energy and the site's proximity to transit are reflected in the Silver ratings.

Performance Measures Targets

The final component of the Report Card contains a section which asks the Advisory to comment on whether or not they feel the City is on target in achieving the Markham Centre vision based on the review of the individual development proposals. In 2009 the Performance Measures document was updated to identify potential correlations to L.E.E.D (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) criteria, as well as to simplify, clarify while maintaining the original spirit of the document.

Report Card Process

As discussed with the Advisory Committee, future applications will be reviewed immediately following their presentations to the Committee. This will allow the committee to assess the proposal and discuss adherence to the performance measures while the issues are "top-of-mind". This will also allow the committee to have a relevant benchmark against which they can review further submissions on the same application or subsequent phases of a proposal.

Financial Considerations:

There are no financial considerations at this time.

Environmental Considerations:

Environmental considerations are addressed through the implementation and application of the Performance Measures document, specifically matters relating to Greenlands and Green Infrastructure.

Accessibility Considerations:

There are no accessibility considerations at this time.

Engage 21st Considerations:

The application of the Performance Measures document aligns with the following City of Markham Corporate Goals: Managed Growth, Quality Community and Infrastructure Management.

Business Units Consulted and Affected:

City Departments were involved throughout the approvals process for the subject projects. The ratings in this report reflect discussions with the Markham Centre Advisory Committee.

Conclusions:

The reporting process for the review of development applications within Markham Centre is outlined in this report in concert with specific concerns or issues that the Advisory identified with individual applications. The use and acceptance of the "Report Card" is the final component of the Performance Measures process and plays a vital role in the on-going assessment of applications in order to determine how successful the City is in implementing Markham Centre. Based on the applications reviewed to date it would appear that the City is on target. However further detailed analysis is required in concert with site plan applications to assess implementation of various Green Infrastructure initiatives.